Business Analyst Resume Examples and Templates
Financial Planning and Analysis Resume Examples and Templates for 2024
Last Updated:
October 18, 2024
Financial Planning and Analysis Analyst
Director of Financial Planning and Analysis
Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Financial Planning and Analysis Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
- How To Write a Financial Planning and Analysis Resume
- How To Pick the Best Financial Planning and Analysis Resume Template
- FP&A Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Planning and Analysis Resume Examples and Advice
- Check Out Related Examples
Financial Planning and Analysis Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
- FP&A Analyst
- Director of FP&A
- FP&A Manager
Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis Resume Example
FP&A Analyst Resume Example
Director of FP&A Resume Example
FP&A Manager Resume Example
In today’s competitive job market, having an accomplishment-driven financial planning and analysis (FP&A) resume is essential. Employers aren’t interested in vague descriptions of your past work; they want tangible examples of how you’ve generated meaningful results throughout your career.
Whether you’re just starting out as a financial analyst or pursuing an executive-level position, the key is to show hiring managers how your strategic insights and finance expertise can help drive positive business outcomes for their organizations. We’ll provide expert tips and examples to aid you in building a powerful FP&A resume.
Key takeaways:
- Highlight financial analysis and reporting skills: Showcase your ability to analyze financial data and provide actionable insights to help guide decision-making processes.
- Quantify your achievements: Feature hard numbers and metrics to emphasize the full impact of your contributions, such as cost reductions and revenue growth.
- Optimize for ATS: Incorporate specific keywords from the job description, such as “financial modeling,” “financial reporting,” and “strategic planning,” to get your resume through the initial applicant tracking system (ATS) screening process and into the hiring manager’s hands.
How To Write a Financial Planning and Analysis Resume
To write an eye-catching FP&A resume, you must present your financial expertise and analytical skills clearly and cohesively. Having a well-structured template with a clean layout makes this much more accessible. Before crafting your content, be sure that your resume includes the following sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
1. Share your contact information
Ensure your contact information is precise and up to date. Include your full name, phone number, email address, location, and LinkedIn profile link.
Example
Your Name
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | City, ST | LinkedIn
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your financial planning and analysis qualifications
To grab the hiring manager’s attention quickly, you need a powerful opening summary that captures the broad strokes of your career as a financial analyst. Your profile should be impactful yet concise, limited to no more than four or five lines. Start with a sentence that details your job title, years of experience, and three key financial skill sets that align with the job description.
Use the remaining sentences to emphasize unique aspects of your experience that can help set you apart from other candidates. For example, you might display your proven track record in performing comprehensive analysis, budgeting, and forecasting to inform major financial decisions for large and medium-sized businesses within the technology industry.
Example for FP&A Analyst
An FP&A analyst with over three years of experience in financial modeling, forecasting, and variance analysis. Known for improving financial reporting processes and supporting senior management in data-driven decision-making.
Example for Vice President of FP&A
A vice president of FP&A with over 15 years of experience leading financial strategy, budgeting, and analysis for Fortune 500 companies. Proven ability to align financial planning with corporate strategy and drive performance improvements through data-driven insights.
3. Add an accomplishment-driven financial planning and analysis professional experience section
Continue to expand on your career achievements and financial expertise in the professional experience section of your FP&A resume. Highlight specific projects where your financial insights contributed to cost savings, revenue growth, or improved forecasting accuracy. Avoid simply providing vague descriptions of your day-to-day job responsibilities, as this won’t help you stand out. Hiring managers want to see engaging bullet points illustrating how your financial knowledge can generate value for their organizations.
Senior-Level FP&A Analyst Example
Vice President of FP&A | Solaris Inc., Philadelphia, PA | October 2018 – present
- Oversee all aspects of FP&A for a machine learning company valued at $50 million, spearhead initiatives to enhance reporting, and develop high-impact financial strategies, resulting in a 23% increase in revenue growth over five years
- Manage a 25-person finance department, establish a forward-thinking culture centered on accountability and empowerment, and increase employee retention by 30%
- Collaborate with C-suite executives to develop long-term financial forecasts and ensure alignment with corporate strategy
Entry-Level FP&A Analyst Example
FP&A Analyst | Sand Technologies, Dallas, TX | July 2022 – present
- Develop financial models to improve forecasting accuracy by 12%, uncover potential cost-saving opportunities, and facilitate data-driven decision-making for the executive business team
- Support variance analysis efforts to identify and eliminate $130,000 in unnecessary expenditures over two quarters
- Coordinate with the finance team to optimize and streamline financial reporting processes, resulting in a 15% reduction in monthly reporting time.
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
As an FP&A professional, you have extensive experience presenting hard numbers to executives and key decision-makers. You can apply this same mindset to bolster the strength of your resume. As you craft your bullet points, feature engaging monetary figures and metrics to establish a sense of scope for your professional achievements.
Do
- “Spearheaded the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to optimize multi-million-dollar annual budgets, improve inventory control, and eliminate over $160,000 in supply costs ”
Don’t
- “Responsible for implementing an ERP system to help improve large annual budgets and successfully lower supply costs ”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application
Hiring managers and potential employers are targeting candidates with specific skills, so it’s important to incorporate key terms from the job description throughout your FP&A resume. This conveys that you have the qualifications and experience to excel in the position.
What if you don't have experience?
Even without years of experience, crafting an impactful resume that positions you for entry-level roles is still possible. In this situation, highlight academic projects and internships to demonstrate your financial knowledge and skills. You can also feature relevant coursework and volunteer experience to help flesh out your document.
4. Include relevant financial planning and analysis education and certifications
Your education and certifications demonstrate your foundational knowledge in finance and accounting. Most organizations will target candidates with bachelor’s degrees in finance, accounting, or economics. If you hold advanced degrees or certifications, such as CFA or FP&A credentials, be sure to include them, as these credentials can further establish your credibility as a finance expert.
Education Example
Template:
[Degree Name and Major] | [School Name] | [City, ST] | [Graduation Date]
Example:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Finance | University of Pennsylvania | May 2018
Certifications Example
Template:
[Certification Name] | [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Date]
Example:
- Certified Corporate FP&A Professional | AFP | July 2019
- Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) | CFA Institute | June 2020
5. List pertinent key financial planning and analysis skills
Most companies use an ATS to expedite hiring. To get your resume through the initial screening process, include a comprehensive skills section that features keywords directly from the job posting. Feature a mix of financial and interpersonal skills to show potential employers that you’re a dynamic, well-rounded candidate.
| Key Skills | |
|---|---|
| Budgeting | Cross-functional collaboration |
| Data analysis | Finance |
| Financial analysis | Financial modeling |
| Financial reporting | Financial strategy |
| Forecasting | FP&A |
| ERP | Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) |
| Team management | Variance analysis |
Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs
Take a strategic approach with the words you use on your FP&A resume. As you craft your professional experience section, start each bullet point with a powerful action verb. Avoid passive first-person language such as “responsible for,” as this takes away from the objectivity of your statements. Below are action verbs you can use during the resume writing process:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Collaborated |
| Communicated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Developed | Drove |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Generated | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Led | Managed |
| Monitored | Oversaw |
| Spearheaded | |
How To Pick the Best Financial Planning and Analysis Resume Template
Choose a professional resume template that is easy to read. Avoid designs that are too flashy or filled with graphics. Focus on structure, making sure your key accomplishments stand out. Clean and straightforward templates work best for FP&A roles, ensuring the hiring manager can quickly review your qualifications and experience.
FP&A Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Planning and Analysis Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with a financial planning and analysis job description?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations for FP&A professionals are expected to increase by 9% over the next decade. Despite the steady growth rate, you’ll encounter no shortage of competition for the most lucrative roles on the open market. Aligning your resume with the job description is essential for maximizing your odds of landing the interview.
For instance, if a company is targeting a candidate with a strong background in ERP, provide examples of how you implemented this software to improve financial reporting and reduce operating expenses for previous employers.
What is the best financial planning and analysis resume format?
The reverse chronological resume format is the best choice for FP&A professionals. This format lets you present your most recent and relevant experiences first, especially important for showcasing career progression and increasingly complex financial responsibilities. Combination formats are more suitable for entry-level candidates who must highlight education, academic projects, and skills instead of a robust work history.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
A well-written cover letter is an excellent complement to your FP&A resume. It provides an opportunity to highlight specific accomplishments and explain how your experience aligns with the company’s needs. Be sure to customize your cover letter for each job you apply to.
Check Out Related Examples
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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